Odawara, Kanagawa prefecture


Serving as the gateway to Hakone, the city of Odawara is worth a trip of its own for its reconstruction of the historic Odawara Castle and gorgeous lookout spots like the Enoura Observatory.
Odawara Castle is particularly popular for its seasonal blooms, from plum blossoms in spring to hydrangeas in early summer. The Enoura Observatory, created by contemporary artist Hiroshi Sugimoto and run by the Odawara Art Foundation, is a striking hillside complex overlooking Sagami Bay. In addition to a 100m-long gallery designed to frame the sunrise, the grounds feature serene gardens and striking outdoor art installations.
Getting there: Odawara Station is an hour and 20 minute train ride from Shinagawa Station. From there, you can easily walk to Odawara Castle in about five minutes. To get to the Enoura Observatory, take the Tokaido line two more stops from Odawara to Nebukawa Station. From there, you can take a free shuttle bus directly to the observatory grounds.